Essendon’s round one clash with Hawthorn shapes as one of the Club’s most highly anticipated home and away matches.

The game will mark the return of several Bombers stars.

Brent Stanton has 248 games under his belt across a 14 year AFL career, but he said the emotions he has experienced in recent weeks has reminded him of the early years of his football journey.

“Two weeks ago against Gold Coast was quite nerve-racking, it was a feeling you would have had in your first couple of years,” Stanton said.

“There is just great excitement and it’s an honour to run out in the red and black again. 

“With what we’ve been through in the last four years – and we don’t want to keep harping on it – it can sort of be the finish point.

“We’re back into football and we can be judged again on our football and that’s the most exciting part of this.”

It has been 555 days since Stanton last played a senior game for the Bombers and he expects some extra emotion when the side runs out against the Hawks.

“These are the moments you’ve always dreamt of as a kid,” Stanton said.

“We’re fortunate that we’ve been able to live that for however many years we’ve played.

“It is going to be a whole new experience with such a long lay-off.

“I have no doubt once the ball is bounced and we’re a minute into the game it’ll be just like another game of footy.

“There might be a little more emotion at the start, but basically by quarter time it’s forgotten about and we’re there to win the game.”

With the JLT Community Series now completed, the Essendon Coaching staff will determine the best 22 players to represent the Club for the round one blockbuster.

Stanton said the playing depth on the list put the Club in a strong position.

“We’ve fast tracked these young guys to be able to put pressure on guys like myself,” he said.

“You’re going to have to perform every week to be able to put your name up for selection.

“That’s what good teams do and that’s what good teams need … and hopefully we can be a good team very soon.”